KAWARTHA LAKES: Ontario’s Government is supporting a new training partnership project in the Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and North-umberland Region that will unlock up to 100 jobs in aerospace and aviation sector. “People in this region should take note. The Aviation/Aerospace sector is expanding here, which means more jobs,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development. “By making this considerable investment, our government is creating opportunities for local talent to solve a labour shortage. This is a win-win.” Under the program announced today, Ontario will invest 1.5 million dollars over two years to support the new training partnership that will create up to 100 local training and career opportunities. As part of the project, Sir Sandford Fleming College will work with local employers like Flying Colours Corporation, Safran Electronics and Defence Canada, The Loomex Group and Team Eagle Limited to develop and implement a training curriculum tailored to the talent needs of employers from the local Aviation and Aerospace sector. “As a leading provider of aviation management and operating services, including in Peter-borough, Kawartha Lakes, Greenstone and Dryden, the Loomex Group is pleased to partner with the Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development and Fleming College on this important aviation workforce development program that will support the considerable growth of the aerospace and aviation sectors in the region and Ontario,” said Trent Gervais, President & CEO of The Loomex Group. “By investing in this program the Government of Ontario will build on previous initiatives that have made the aerospace and aviation sector a significant and growing employment and economic driver for Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and North-umberland and beyond.” The training program will teach job-specific skills that help the trainees to find and keep stable employment in the sector. Local employers report demand in fields like Avionics/Electrical Installation, Airport Management, Aviation Consulting, and Shipping/Receiving. The training will take place at the Loomex facilities at the Peterborough Municipal Airport and is expected to begin January 6th, 2020. “This project has the potential to unlock further economic growth in Peterborough, Kawartha Lakes and North-umberland Region,” said Dave Smith, MPP for Peterborough-Kawartha. “With the job and training opportunities created here, local companies will get the talent they need [to] succeed, expand and create further jobs down the road. That’s great news for our region.” “To make Ontario open for jobs, we need to make sure that businesses can find the skilled workforce they need to grow,” said Minister McNaughton. “Government can’t do that alone. It’s great to see employers and educators team up and use their expertise to tackle local labour market challenges. That’s the kind of initiative we need to support within Ontario.”